PHILIPSBURG:---:--- The members of the Fire and Ambulance Department strongly refute the statements released by the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, which claim that the Prime Minister proposed a mediator to the Union. This misleading statement perfectly illustrates why the Union has repeatedly demanded a signed commitment letter—as truth remains a distant friend of this Cabinet.
Following a live press conference on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the Union submitted a letter to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Fire Department's members. This letter reiterated that the members are tired of the ongoing back-and-forth and once again requested the appointment of a neutral mediator, as previously agreed on April 29, 2025.
It must be noted that when the Prime Minister was advised by his colleagues to turn the matter over to a mediator, he refused. Yet the latest narrative from his Cabinet now claims he is proposing a mediator, a claim that is both inaccurate and misleading.
The members will confer and indicate their mediator of choice, and thank the Prime Minister for his prompt response and for submitting a list of proposed candidates. However, the Union once again stresses the need for transparency and honesty throughout this process.
Furthermore, the press release issued on behalf of the Prime Minister contained information that was never discussed with either the members or the Union. Anyone reading that release would be led to believe that a roundtable discussion had taken place, which is false. While a letter was indeed sent to the Union President, the details reflected in the Prime Minister’s press release do not match the contents of that correspondence.
It is also important to clarify that nowhere in the letter to the Union President were there any statements indicating non-disclosure of the proposed mediators. The attempt to create such a narrative is misleading and adds unnecessary tension to an already delicate process. This constant distortion of facts has become tiring and deeply disappointing, particularly when coming from individuals in positions of leadership.
The lack of honesty and transparency is precisely what has brought this situation to its current impasse. Even as the parties move toward mediation, misleading information continues to circulate.
The members of the Fire and Ambulance Department remain committed to constructive dialogue and to finding a fair and lasting resolution in the interest of all parties involved.
As we advance, there will be no further communication to the media on this matter until it has been resolved.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Concerns are growing across St. Maarten as several sectors express frustration over unpaid invoices, stalled projects, and what many describe as a widening gap between government priorities and the needs of workers and vendors.

While politicians within the URSM-led coalition, including ministers, Members of Parliament, and cabinet staff, continue to receive salaries, per diems, and other allowances on time, numerous vendors and essential service providers say they are still waiting for payment for work completed months ago.

Frontline Workers on Go-Slow Since April

Essential frontline workers have reportedly been on a “go-slow” since April 2025, citing long-standing issues over pay and working conditions. Rather than addressing their concerns, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina urged the WICSU-PSU union to instruct its members to return to work, a move that has sparked further criticism.

Union representatives say the government’s response has been dismissive, and that the situation reflects a broader lack of engagement with labor issues under the current administration.

Market Vendors Still Waiting

Market vendors in Philipsburg are also expressing disappointment, noting that the long-promised new marketplace remains unbuilt. Last year, the Minister of TEATT and members of the Democratic Party (DP) publicly laid a ceremonial “first block” for the project, but since then, there has been no visible progress on construction.

Justice Workers Await Landsbesluiten

In the justice sector, members of the NAPB and other justice workers continue to wait for their official Landsbesluiten, documents needed to finalize their legal employment status and salary adjustments. The process, which had been moving forward under former Ministers of Justice Anna Richardson and Lyndon Lewis, has reportedly stalled under the current government.

Private Sector Asked to Fund Public Duties

Business leaders are also raising eyebrows after being approached to contribute significant sums to cover government-related expenses. Private businesses have been asked to provide approximately half a million dollars to support crime prevention initiatives during the holiday season.

Earlier this week, DP MP Viren Kotai was seen in accompanying the Minister of TEATT to a meeting with the Harbor Group of Companies, a government-owned entity, in what sources described as an effort to secure additional funding. The move has prompted questions about the separation of powers and the ethical role of MPs in government financial matters.

Private Funding for Public Infrastructure

In another instance, the Minister of VROMI announced that private businesses in the Pelican area would finance the paving of Billy Folly Road, a project estimated at another half a million dollars. Critics argue that the government’s growing reliance on private funding for public infrastructure highlights poor fiscal management.

Mounting Public Concern

The developments have fueled public frustration and accusations of hypocrisy toward government officials who continue to receive timely compensation and travel benefits while leaving contractors, workers, and service providers waiting.

As one concerned business owner put it, “The private sector can’t keep paying for government’s responsibilities. We’re reaching a breaking point.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- Operations at the Philipsburg landfill briefly came to a halt earlier today after contractor Derrick Fleming suspended work due to outstanding payments owed by the Government of St. Maarten.

Fleming, who is contracted to operate and maintain government-owned equipment at the landfill, said that his company has been facing irregular payment patterns for months. “We’ve been working continuously with the government, but there are recurring issues with delayed payments due to internal policy or administrative changes,” he explained.

According to Fleming, invoices dating as far back as December 2024 remain partially unpaid. Payments for some months in 2025 — including February, April, and June — were skipped, creating a backlog of outstanding amounts.

The matter, Fleming said, has been brought to the attention of Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs Jr. on two occasions prior to the shutdown. Following a meeting on Thursday morning, both parties reached an understanding that the outstanding payments would be settled “in a short time span.”

“The Minister assured us that policies are being worked on to address the current situation,” Fleming noted. “Given that, I’ve agreed to reopen the landfill later today.”

Normal operations are expected to resume within hours.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is currently responding to a vehicle fire that occurred near the entrance of Divi Little Bay. Members of the Fire Department are on the scene and working diligently to extinguish the blaze.

As a result, the road leading to and from Divi Little Bay is temporarily closed to all traffic. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes until the situation is brought under control.

Police and detectives are also present at the scene as the investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

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